Introduction to the Governing Board
Governors are responsible for the overall strategic direction and focus of the school, overseeing the management side which includes strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. They work alongside Nic Ilic – as the Head – and her staff team and seek to enable the school to be run as effectively as possible.
Governors support through approving school policies and procedures, agreeing budgets, ensuring the National Curriculum is taught to all children to the highest standard, and that the children can learn in a clean and safe environment. Governors will also act as a “critical friend” to the Head, offering support and advice, but where necessary they also challenge and ask questions that parents would want them to be asking.
The Governors meet regularly at Full Governing Body (FGB) meetings. We have recently introduced new format with the aim of increasing both effectiveness and efficiency across the Governing body. We have one FGB meeting a month, with each one having a specific focus. This focus is drawn from the sub-committees that each Governor will also be a part of.
These committees are Quality of Education, Resources and Strategic, and each Governor will sit on one of these. The monthy meetings have a strict time-limit of one hour, in the aim that each Governor comes to the meeting fully prepared to either present or listen, but always to discuss and question.
The Governing Body is made up of representatives from the Diocese, Parents, Staff and Local Community, all of whom donate their time and expertise freely for the benefit of the schools. They all bring something different, whether that is educational, professional or spiritual.
Our School Governors are:
Gussie Kerr-Bonner
(Foundation Governor)
I was elected to the Governing Board in March 2021, and then as Chair in December 2021. My working background is in Operations and Project Management, and I have worked for a range of organisations including The National Trust, Microsoft, a cricket media company, as well as a number of marketing and events agencies. For the past five years I have worked for a high-end cyber security company, delivering consultancy across the globe for defence, government and commercial organisations. I bring skills and experience in planning, decision-making, project management, and people and community engagement.
I thoroughly enjoy my role as a Governor and find it both extremely interesting and fulfilling.
When not in school or work, you can usually find me doing something active outside, cycling the lanes of Wiltshire, walking up the mountains of Wales, or swimming in the waters of Pembrokeshire.
Responsibilities: Chair, Admissions Committee, Website Compliance, Whistleblowing
Nic Ilic
(ex-officio)
Mrs Ilic has a BA(Hons) Degree with Qualified Teaching status.
Mrs Ilic also has a teaching commitment working Mondays in Thatchers, teaching swimming on Tuesday afternoons.
She is First Aid trained including Paediatrics and Anaphylaxis. She has completed training for Leadership and has a National Professional Qualification for Headteachers. She has completed coaching courses for hockey, football and dodgeball and is a qualified swimming teacher.
Mrs Ilic has cycled from St. David's Point in Wales to Lowestoft, Suffolk (420 miles) for charity.
Kate Woodley
(Staff Governor)
Class teacher for The Potters Class, Reception group.
Mrs Woodley has a BA(Hons) Combined Studies in Drama and American History degree and a PGCE in Primary Education 4-7 specialism. She has also attended training for Forest School BTEC level 1 and Middle Leadership.
Mrs Woodley is First Aid trained including Paediatrics and Anaphylaxis. She also has completed training for Talk Boost and Sounds Write.
Mrs Woodley has 2 grown up daughters.
Sally Branscombe
(Foundation)
I have been a Governor of Crockerton School since 2019 but have known the school for over 40 years when my three children attended! Four of my seven grandchildren have been here more recently. I am a retired Primary School teacher and I love the opportunity to still be involved with the education and welfare of young children. You will often see me in school as I try and come into to hear reading or support classes and the staff team when I can.
Andy Coward
(Parent)
Andy is joint Managing Director of a 4th generation owned and run family business. Hillbrush, based in Mere, has been manufacturing brushes and cleaning equipment since 1922 and was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1981. Earlier on in his career, while working in London, Andy qualified as an accountant, which gives him the perfect skillset to support the school as the Finance Governor. Andy has lived in Crockerton since 2007 and his daughter, now in Weavers, has been at the school since 2021.
Angela Hossain
Parent
Ruth Farrell
Local Authority
I am a fairly new Governor after joining the Governing body in Summer 2025 and have taken on the SEND link Governor role.
I am retired with grandchildren in the school. I spent all of my working life in education teaching in primary schools and then as a headteacher.
I have a passion for making sure children have opportunities and seeing children achieve their potential and enjoying their learning. My other interests lie in sport, especially athletics, but also anything competitive.
Becoming a governor gives me the chance to give something back in an environment I know well in a really lovely school.
Judy Munro
(Ex-officio) Interregnum
Since Reverend Pauline Reid retired in October 2023, and the interregnum began, I have been an ex-officio Governor, standing in until a new priest is appointed. I was previously a Foundation Governor at Crockerton School from 2010 until 2018. It is a privilege to be involved in the life of the school and the education, development and nurturing of the children in this area. I have lived in the Deverills for twenty-two years, our family connection going back to the early 1980s. I am on the Parochial Church Council, and I am the Editor of the monthly Deverills and Crockerton Parish News. I volunteer at Stourhead and belong to several local societies. History and the natural environment are my greatest interests.
Responsibility: Admissions Committee
